Gunsight and reticle therefor

ABSTRACT

An improved telescopic gunsight is provided by combining a conventional telescopic gunsight with a reticle having a primary vertical cross-hair, a primary horizontal cross-hair intersecting the primary vertical cross-hair, a plurality of secondary horizontal cross-hairs having predetermined thickness evenly spaced a predetermined distance along the primary vertical cross-hair, a plurality of secondary vertical cross-hairs having predetermined thickness evenly spaced a predetermined distance along at least some of the secondary horizontal cross-hairs and an optical range-finder for quickly determining the range to the intended target. Some of the secondary horizontal cross-hairs are marked with a unique identifying character to assist the shooter in quickly finding an aiming point. The thickness of, and spacing between, the cross-hairs can be based upon an easy to learn inches of angle (or centimeters of angle) scale, or upon any other conventional scale, which can be the same or different from the scale used for the rangefinder. The rangefinder can be formed from vertical and horizontal arms. The vertical rangefinder arm can be superimposed over the primary vertical cross-hair and the horizontal rangefinder arm can be superimposed over the primary horizontal cross-hair as desired to provide a clearer field of vision.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 9/129,729 U.S.Pat. No. 6,032,374 issued on Mar. 7, 2001, which is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 8/986,458 U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,995 whichissued Jul. 13, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telescopic gunsights, and moreparticularly to reticles for use in telescopic gunsights.

All shooters, whether they are police officers, olympic shooters, orweekend enthusiasts, have one common goal: hitting their targetaccurately and consistently. Accuracy and consistency in shooting dependlargely on the skill of the shooter and the construction of the firearmand ammunition.

The accuracy of a firearm can be enhanced by the use of precisely-madecomponents, including precisely-made ammunition. It is well known intarget shooting that using ammunition in which the propellant weight andtype, bullet weight and dimensions, and cartridge dimensions are heldwithin very strict limits, can improve accuracy in shooting.

At very long ranges, in excess of 500 yards, however, the skill of theshooter and the consistency of the ammunition is often not enough toinsure that the shooter will hit the target. As range increases, otherfactors can affect the flight of the bullet and the point of impact downrange. One of these factors is “bullet drop”. “Bullet drop” is caused bythe influence of gravity on the moving bullet, and is characterized by abullet path which curves to earth over long ranges. Therefore to hit atarget at long range, it is necessary to elevate the barrel of theweapon, and the aiming point, to adjust for bullet drop. Other factors,such as wind, magnus effect (i.e., a lateral thrust exerted by wind on arotating bullet whose axis is perpendicular to the wind direction),bullet design, and the idiosyncracies of the weapon can cause the bulletto drift to the left or right of the central path of the bullet overlong range. Such effects are generally referred to as “windage” effects.Therefore, to hit a target at long range, it may be necessary to correctfor windage by moving the barrel of the weapon slightly to the left orthe right to compensate for bullet drift. Thus, in order to hit a targetat long range, the shooter must see the target, accurately estimate therange to the target, estimate the effect of bullet drop and wind on thebullet. and use this information to properly position the barrel of thefirearm prior to squeezing the trigger. Conventional telescopicgunsights or scopes are not generally useful at long ranges in excess of600-800 yards. The cross-hairs of such scopes are typically located inthe center of the field, with the vertical hair providing a centralindicator for making a windage adjustment, and the horizontal hairproviding a central indicator for making a bullet drop adjustment.Modifications to this basic system have not, thus far, enabled a skilledshooter firing at long ranges to acquire and hit a target quickly andreliably, regardless of the weapon used (assuming always that the weaponis capable of reaching a target at the desired long range).

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,190,121 to Critchett, discloses a reticlefor use in a rifle scope containing a rangefinder having markings forfinding a range with reference to the height of a man. Apparentlybecause of the innate variation in the height of any given individualfrom that used to produce the reticle, and the resulting inaccuracywhich that would produce at long ranges, Critchett's scope was onlyuseful to 600 yards.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,587 to Rubbert discloses a reticle and telescopegunsight system having primary cross-hairs which intersectconventionally at the center of the field, and secondary horizontalcross-hairs spaced apart by different amounts to form a rangefinder anddistinct aiming apertures and points, based upon a predetermined,estimated size of a target. Rubbert's preferred embodiment isconstructed for use in shooting deer having an 18″ chest depth. However,like Critchett, the usefulness of Rubbert for shooting other targets ofvarying size at long range is doubtful.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,733 to Leatherwood discloses a variable power scopehaving aiming cross-hairs and two upper cross-hairs for bracketing atarget of known dimensions at a known distance. The scope is mounted toa gun barrel, and the position of the scope in relation to the gunbarrel is adjustable up and down to compensate for bullet drop bycovering the target with the bracketing cross-hairs, and rotating anadjustment ring to expand or contract the bracketing cross-hairs tobracket the target. Leatherwood's scope, like the others discussedabove, has limited utility at long ranges because it is designed with aspecific size target in mind, and would therefore be inaccurate whenused with targets of widely varying size, and also because at long rangethe scope may not be able to move sufficiently in relation to the barrel(i.e., may be obstructed by the gun barrel).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,421 to Shepherd discloses a scope having a primaryand secondary reticles, the secondary reticle being a polygonal reticlewith different indicia on the different faces which can be rotated intoposition to compensate for bullet drop and determining target range fordifferent sized targets. However, having to rotate a secondary reticleto locate an appropriate target shape in order to determine the range istime consuming and undesirable, since it takes the shooter's attentionaway from the target.

It should be noted that the range finding inaccuracies inherent in theseprior art references may be resolved using a laser rangefinder. However,since a laser rangefinder often emits a visible light, there is alwaysthe possibility that the beam from a laser rangefinder could bedetected, revealing the position of the shooter, causing a live targetto move, or other undesirable consequences, before the shot can betaken. Furthermore, a laser rangefinder includes complex electronicswhich must be handled with care. Laser rangefinders require highlyreflective or broadside targets to achieve range. Finally, a laserrangefinder must be powered with electricity from a source which must becarried by the shooter. The additional weight is a burden, and thepossibility exists that power source could fail or become exhaustedthrough use, causing the rangefinder to cease working.

Accordingly, the need exists for a telescopic gun sight having a reticlewhich includes an optical rangefinder which permits a skilled shooter torapidly and accurately identify the range to any target of estimablesize, no matter how large or small, to make fast and accurate adjustmentfor bullet drop and windage, using the shooter's knowledge andexperience and without the need to move rings or make adjustments to thescope, thus enabling the shooter to accurately hit targets at any range,depending upon the eyesight of the shooter and the maximum range of theselected firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides an improved telescopicgunsight having a housing, including a means for mounting the housing ina fixed, predetermined position relative to a gun barrel, an objectivelens mounted in one end the housing, an ocular lens mounted in theopposite end of the housing, a reticle mounted in the housing betweenthe objective lens and the ocular lens, the reticle having an opticalcenter, a primary vertical cross-hair intersecting the optical center ofthe reticle, a primary horizontal cross-hair intersecting said primaryvertical cross-hair at a position above the optical center when thehousing is mounted to the gun barrel, to form an upper right quadrant,an upper left quadrant, a lower left quadrant, and a lower rightquadrant, a plurality of secondary horizontal cross-hairs evenly spacedalong the primary vertical cross-hair, a plurality of secondary verticalcross-hairs evenly spaced along at least some of said secondaryhorizontal cross-hairs, and rangefinder markings positioned in one ofthe quadrants. The telescopic gunsight of this embodiment can be a fixedpower scope or a variable power scope. When optics are mounted in thehousing to permit the power to be varied along a predetermined range,the reticle is most preferably mounted between the objective lens andthe variable power optics.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a reticle for usein any conventional telescopic gunsight, whether such telescopicgunsight is a fixed power scope or a variable power scope. A reticle ofthis embodiment is preferably constructed from an optically transparentwafer or disc having an optical center which coincides with a center ofa field of vision when the wafer is mounted in a scope. A primaryvertical cross-hair having a predetermined thickness bisects the disc,intersecting the optical center of the disc. A primary horizontalcross-hair having a predetermined thickness intersects the primaryvertical cross-hair, most preferably above the optical center of thedisc, to form an upper right quadrant, an upper left quadrant, a lowerleft quadrant, and a lower right quadrant. A plurality of secondaryhorizontal cross-hairs having predetermined thickness are evenly spacedalong the primary vertical cross-hair. Preferably, at least some ofthese secondary horizontal cross-hairs are identified with a uniqueidentifier, to aid the shooter in locating the appropriate horizontalcross-hair to use in selecting an aiming point. A plurality of secondaryvertical cross-hairs having predetermined thickness are evenly spacedalong at least some of said secondary horizontal cross-hairs to aid inmaking accurate windage adjustments. Finally, a separate range-findingmeans is positioned in one of said quadrants to aid the shooter indetermining the range to target.

The present invention can also be adapted for use in a mid-rangetelescopic gunsight. A mid-range reticle, almost identical to thelong-range reticle described above, can be constructed in accordancewith this invention. Since the mid-range reticle requires less lowerfield area, the primary horizontal cross-hair can be conventionallycentered. The mid-range reticle can then be calibrated and used in thesame manner as a long-range reticle.

The reticle can also be provided with a circumscribing ring visiblethrough the gunsight, to aid in centering the eye relative to thetelescopic gunsight. This ring helps reduce shooting inaccuracy causedby the misalignment of the shooter's line of sight through the scope. Byproviding a visual means to align the reticle within the scope, theshooter can produce more accurate and more repeatable results.

The reticle can also be provided with an aiming/centering dot located atthe optical center of the reticle for rapid acquisition of a target atmedium range, and for aiding the shooter in centering his eye relativeto the field of view.

In yet another embodiment, a portion of the primary vertical cross-hairor the primary horizontal cross-hair can be provided with rangefindermarkings to eliminate the need for a separate rangefinder in one of thequadrants formed by the primary vertical and horizontal cross-hair.

Other embodiments will be evident from a consideration of the drawingstaken together with the detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention and its advantages will beapparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the optical components of a telescopicgunsight of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a reticle of the present invention, showingthe markings as viewed through a zoom telescopic gunsight at high power,the spacing of the markings based upon an “inch of angle” scale;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a reticle of the present invention, showingthe markings as viewed through a zoom telescopic gunsight at low power;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a firearm showing a telescopic gunsightmounted on the barrel;

FIG. 5 is an example of 500 yard zero ballistic table created for a .50Cal. Bolt Action Model M-93 Rifle having a 30 inch barrel built firing a.50 Cal Browning Machine Gun cartridge;

FIG. 6 is an example of a worksheet which can be used to calibrate themarkings on a reticle of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a completed worksheet based upon the table shown in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 8, 8A, and 8B are an illustrative table providing data fordetermining an appropriate windage adjustment for the example;

FIG. 9 is a reticle of the present invention based upon a “centimeter ofangle” scale;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a mid-range reticle of the present invention,the spacing of the markings based upon an “inch of angle” scale;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a reticle of the present invention includinga circumscribing ring, the spacing of the markings based upon an “inchof angle” scale; and

FIG. 12 is a front view of a reticle of the present invention includinga circumscribing ring and an aiming dot located at the optical center,the spacing and the markings based upon an “inch of angle” scale.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a reticle of the present invention in whichthe upper portion of the primary vertical cross-hair and the primaryhorizontal cross-hair have been provided with range-finder markings of aUSMC mil-dot scale;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a reticle of the present invention in whichthe upper portion of the primary vertical cross-hair and the primaryhorizontal cross-hair have been provided with range-finder markings ofan “inches of angle” scale; and,

FIG. 15 is a front view of a reticle of the present invention in which ahorizontal range-finder bar intersects the primary vertical cross-hairat a position above the intersection with the primary horizontalcross-hair, and primary vertical cross-hair and horizontal rangefinderbar have been provided with range-finder markings of any desirablescale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a telescopic gunsight 10 (also referred toherein as a “scope”) includes a housing 36 which can be mounted in fixedrelationship with a gun barrel 38. Housing 36 is preferably constructedfrom steel or aluminum, but can be constructed from virtually anydurable, substantially non-flexible material which is useful forconstructing optical equipment. Mounted in housing 36 at one end is anobjective lens or lens assembly 12. Mounted in housing 38 at theopposite end is an ocular lens or lens assembly 14. It is well known inthe art to make such lenses from either a single piece of glass or otheroptical material (such as transparent plastic) which has beenconventionally ground and polished to focus light, or from two or morepieces of such material mounted together with optically transparentadhesive and the like to focus light. Accordingly, the term “lens” asused herein is intended to cover either a lens constructed from a singlepiece of optical glass or other material capable of focusing light, orfrom more than one pieces mounted together to focus light. As will beunderstood by one having skill in the art, when the scope 10 is mountedto a gun barrel 38, the objective lens 12 faces the target, and theocular lens 14 faces the shooter's eye.

Other optical components which may be included in housing 36 includevariable power optical components 16 for a variable power scope. Suchcomponents 16 typically include magnifiers and erectors. Such a variablepower scope permits the user to select a desired power within apredetermined range of powers. For example, with a 3-12×50 scope, theuser can select a lower power (i.e., 3×50) or a high power (i.e., 12×50)or any power along the continuous spectrum in between.

Finally, a reticle is typically included to assist the shooter inhitting the target. The reticle is typically (but not necessarily)constructed using optical material, such as optical glass or plastic,and takes the form of a disc or wafer with substantially parallel sides.In a fixed power scope, the reticle can be mounted anywhere between theocular lens 14 and the objective lens 12. In a variable power scope, thereticle is most preferably mounted between the objective lens 12 and theoptical components 16. In this position, the apparent size of thereticle when viewed through the ocular lens will vary with the power;for example, compare FIG. 2 (high power) with FIG. 3 (low power). When areticle of the present invention is mounted in a variable power scope, Iprefer a variable power scope manufactured by Schmidt & Bender GmbH &Co. KG of Biebertal, Germany, because of its excellent optics. With aSchmidt & Bender Scope, such as a 3-12×50 or a 4-16×50, when the reticleis mounted between the objective lens and the variable power opticalcomponents 16, I have found that the selected aiming point (as describedin more detail below) on my reticle does not vary as the shooter zoomsthe scope in and out to find the most desirable power for a particularshot.

As shown in FIG. 2, the preferred reticle 18 of the present invention isformed from a substantially flat disc or wafer 19 formed fromsubstantially transparent optical glass or other material suitable formanufacturing optical lenses. Disc 19 has two, substantially parallel,sides. A primary vertical cross-hair 20 is provided on one side of saiddisc 19 using conventional methods such as, for example, etching,printing, or applying hairs or wires of known diameter. Etching ispreferred. Primary vertical cross-hair 20 preferably bisects the disc 19and intersects the optical center 21 of reticle 18. A primary horizontalcross-hair 22 is also provided, and most preferably intersects theprimary vertical cross-hair at a position well above the optical center21. Positioning the primary horizontal cross-hair in this way providesthe necessary additional field of view necessary to shoot accurately atlong ranges. Thus, the primary vertical cross-hair and the primaryhorizontal cross-hair form four quadrants: an upper right quadrant, anupper left quadrant, a lower left quadrant, and a lower right quadrant,when viewed through a scope properly mounted to a gun barrel as shown inFIG. 4.

A plurality of evenly-spaced, secondary horizontal cross-hairs 24 areprovided along the primary vertical cross-hair 20, preferably both aboveand below the primary horizontal cross-hair 22 to aid in rangeadjustments and for locating an appropriate aiming point on the reticlewith respect to the distance to the target. Some of these secondary,horizontal cross-hairs are provided with unique symbols 28 which areuseful in quickly locating a particular horizontal cross-hair. Symbols28 can be numbers, as shown in FIG. 2, letters or other symbols. Symbols28 are used for identification purposes only.

A plurality of evenly-spaced, secondary vertical cross-hairs orhash-marks 26 are provided on at least some of the secondary horizontalcross-hairs 24, to aid the shooter in making adjustments for windage andfor locating an appropriate aiming point on the reticle with respect toboth windage and range.

Also provided, most preferably in the lower left quadrant, is a meansfor determining range. As shown in FIG. 2, the rangefinder 30 includes avertical arm 32 and an intersecting horizontal arm 34. Vertical arm 32is provided with a plurality of evenly-spaced horizontal cross-hairswhich intersect vertical arm 32; horizontal arm 34 is provided with aplurality of evenly-spaced, preferably downwardly extending cross-hairs.At least some of the range finding cross-hairs are marked to correspondto a scale useful for determining range.

The spacing between the range-finding cross-hairs is most preferablybased upon a non-conventional scale, which I refer to as the “inches ofangle” scale. An “inch of angle” is defined as the angle made (or thedistance on the reticle) which covers exactly one inch at 100 yards. Onthe reticle shown in FIG. 2, an inch of angle is the distance betweenany two adjacent rangefinder cross-hairs. That is, the space between anytwo adjacent rangefinder cross-hairs will cover or exactly contain aone-inch target at 100 yards. A similar scale for metric shooters, whichI call a “centimeters of angle” scale, can also be used, with acentimeter of angle being the distance on the reticle which coversexactly one centimeter at 100 meters. Conventional scales, such as the“minute of angle” scale or Mil Radian scale, can also be used, but arenot preferred because they are less intuitive to use and make theaccurate estimation of long ranges more difficult.

The spacing between secondary cross-hairs on the primary vertical andhorizontal cross-hairs are also determined with reference to the scaleused for the rangefinder. For the reticle as shown in FIG. 2, it can beseen by reference to the rangefinder that the spacing between thesecondary horizontal cross-hairs labeled 5 and 6 is 5 inches of angle. Ashorter secondary horizontal cross-hair (or hash-mark) appears betweenhorizontal cross-hairs 5 and 6, at a position 2.5 inches of angle fromeither secondary horizontal cross-hair 5 or 6. The secondary verticalcross-hairs 26, as shown in FIG. 2, are spaced apart by 5 inches ofangle.

The thickness of the lines are also preferably determined with referenceto the range-finding scale used. For the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the preferred thickness of the primary vertical cross-hair 20and primary horizontal cross-hair 22 is 0.5 inches of angle and thepreferred thickness of the secondary horizontal and vertical cross-hairsare 0.25 inches of angle. The rangefinder arms 32, 34 and the marked (5,10, 15 ) rangefinder cross-hairs are preferably 0.25 inches of anglethick, and the intermediate range-finding cross-hairs are preferably 0.1inches of angle thick.

As shown in FIGS. 13-15, I have also found it possible to use theprimary vertical cross-hair 20 and/or primary horizontal cross-hair 22as the rangefinder, obviating the need for additional lines in anyquadrant formed by the intersecting primary vertical and horizontalcross-hairs. This is preferred because it provides a less cluttered, andtherefore less distracting, field of view.

As shown in FIG. 13, the upper portion of the primary verticalcross-hair 20 can be provided with range finder markings of any scale toform a rangefinder vertical arm 32. Likewise, substantially the entireprimary horizontal cross-hair 22 can be provided with range findermarkings of any scale to form a rangefinder horizontal arm 34. Typicalscales include the “inches of angle” or “centimeters of angle” scaleintroduced by the parent and grandparent applications from which thisapplication claims priority, as well as conventional scales such as USMCMil Dot Scale or minute of angle scales can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 14, the rangefinder horizontal arm 34 can besuperimposed over only a portion of the primary horizontal cross-hair22. Although FIG. 14 illustrates an example where the rangefinderhorizontal arm 34 is located to the right of the intersection 21 betweenthe primary vertical cross-hair 20 and the primary horizontal cross-hair22, one skilled in the art will realize that the rangefinder horizontalarm 34 could just as easily be located to the left of interesection 21.The scale on the rangefinder markings can, if desired, be drawn to adifferent scale from that provided for the line thickness and spacingbetween the secondary vertical cross-hairs 26 and secondary horizontalcross-hairs 24. For example, it may be desirable for an experiencedshooter to provide the rangefinder markings in an inches of angle scaleto speed up the process of determining the range to target, and thenhave the spacing between the secondary horizontal cross-hairs 24 andsecondary vertical cross-hairs 26 provided in a more conventional (andhence more familiar) scale that the experienced shooter can use tocalibrate and shoot the weapon, such as, for example, a USMC Mil DotScale.

It is also possible to superimpose only one arm of the rangefinder oneither the primary vertical cross-hair 20 or the primary horizontalcross-hair 22. As shown in FIG. 15, the rangefinder vertical arm 32 canbe superimposed over the primary vertical cross-hair 32 with arangefinder horizontal arm 34 extending into an upper quadrant andintersecting the primary vertical cross-hair 20 at a position aboveintersection 21. Although FIG. 15 shows the rangefinder horizontal arm34 extending into the upper left quadrant, it could just as easily bepositioned in the upper right quadrant. Likewise, the rangefinderhorizontal arm 34 could be superimposed over the primary horizontalcross-hair 22 and a rangefinder vertical arm 32 could intersect theprimary horizontal cross-hair 22 at a position to the left or to theright of intersection 21 and extend upwards into the left or rightquadrants.

To use a scope and reticle of the present invention, it is preferredthat the shooter become familiar with the characteristics of the weaponand ammunition to be used. The scope and reticle can be calibrated towork with almost any type of rifle. To calibrate the scope and reticle,the shooter first determines the ballistics based upon thecharacteristics of the weapon and ammunition to be used. For example,let us suppose the weapon to be used is a .50 caliber Bolt Action Rifle,Model M-93 with a 30 inch barrel built by Harris Gunworks in Phoenix.Arizona. The cartridge selected is .50 Cal Browning Machine Guncartridge, each of which is constructed from a brass case (made byWinchester), primer (CCI #35 ); powder (218 grains ACC #8700 by AccurateAims Powder), and bullet (750 grain AMAX Match bullet by Hornady,ballistic coefficient 0.750). A computer can then be used to run aballistics program to determine bullet drop for this weapon/ammunitioncombination. I prefer a software program by W. R. Frenchu entitled“Ballistic V.4.0” which was copyrighted 1988 and is based upon Ingalls'table. However, other software programs, such as “Ballistic Explorer forWindows,” sold by Oehler Research of Austin, Tex., may also be used.After inputting the necessary data for the cartridge and other data suchas altitude, temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc., the computer cancalculate points of impact for various ranges. See, e.g., FIG. 5, whichprovides a table with a zero at 500 yards. Other tables can becalculated with zero values at other ranges. 500 yards has been selectedhere solely for the purposes of illustration. To assist the shooter inunderstanding how to “calibrate” the reticle, a worksheet, such as thatillustrated in FIG. 6 can be used.

Next, the shooter can select the size of the bulls eye (or target area)to be hit using a reticle of the present invention. For example, aselected bulls eye could be 6 inches in diameter, 10 inches in diameter,12 inches, 36 inches, 48 inches etc. A hit anywhere in the bulls eyecounts as a direct hit. For the purposes of this example, I used a 12inch bulls eye from a range of point blank to 1000 yards and a 36 inchbulls eye from 1100 yards to 1650 yards.

When the shooter sees the reticle through the eyepiece, the secondaryhorizontal cross-hairs can be seen. These cross-hairs are evenly spaced2.5 inches of angle apart. Thus, the spacing between the primaryhorizontal cross-hair 22 shown in FIG. 2, and the first secondaryhorizontal cross-hair below the primary horizontal cross-hair 22 is 2.5inches of angle. The spacing between the primary horizontal cross-hair22 and the secondary horizontal cross hair labeled “5” is 15 inches ofangle. This means that adjacent cross-hairs would span a 2.5 inch targetat 100 yards. The space between the primary horizontal cross-hair andthe secondary horizontal cross-hair labeled “5” would cover a 15 inchtarget at 100 yards. At 200 yards, adjacent cross-hairs will span atarget of 5 inches, and the space between the primary horizontalcross-hair and the secondary cross-hair labeled “5” would cover a 30inch target. At 600 yards, adjacent cross-hairs will span a target of 15inches, the space between the primary horizontal cross-hair and thesecondary horizontal cross-hair labeled “5” would cover a 90 inchtarget, and so on. As can be seen, there is a linear relationshipbetween the inches of angle scale and the range to the target in yards.

Using a table such as that shown in FIG. 5, and a worksheet, such asthat shown in FIG. 6, the shooter can “calibrate” a scope of the presentinvention for the particular weapon and ammunition selected. For thisexample, a 500 yard zero table was selected for purposes ofillustration. Therefore, the shooter marks the primary horizontalcross-hair 22 on the worksheet with the number 500 (e.g., if the targetwere exactly 500 yards down range, the shooter would select an aimingpoint along the primary horizontal cross-hair 22 to hit the target). Therange value of the first secondary horizontal cross-hair below theprimary horizontal cross-hair can then be calculated. Estimating a valueof between 600 and 700 yards, the shooter can determine the closestvalue by calculating the inches of angle at 600 and 700 yards (whichcorresponds to bullet drop)${\frac{\text{2.5 inches of angle}}{\quad \text{100 yards}} \times \text{600 yards}} = \text{15.10 inches of angle}$${\frac{\text{2.5 inches of angle}}{100\quad \text{yards}} \times \text{700 yards}} = \text{17.50 inches of angle}$

These calculated values are matched with the values shown in theselected Ingalls table (in this example, the 500 yard zero table shownin FIG. 5). The 600 yard range on the table shows a trajectory of 18.4inches. The 700 yard range on the table shows a trajectory of −44.6inches. Since the calculated bullet drop at the first secondaryhorizontal marker is 15.1 inches, and this most closely correlates withthe trajectory shown in the Ingalls table for 600 yards (−18.4 inches),the first secondary horizontal cross-hair below the primary horizontalcross-hair is marked on the worksheet as 600 yards. Although the actualbullet impact should be 3.3 inches below the dead center of the 12 inchdiameter bulls eye (18.4−15.1=3.3), this is close enough since a hit isconsidered to be anything within the 12 inch bulls eye.

The shooter can then repeat this process to calibrate the reticle forevery secondary horizontal cross-hair below the primary horizontalcross-hair. The results in this example can be used to shoot at anytarget within a range up to 1700 yards. The results using this methodcan be seen in FIG. 7. Longer ranges can also be calibrated using a zerotable for a longer range (e.g., anything from a 600 yard zero table to a2500 yard zero table).

Alternatively, the shooter can locate the secondary horizontalcross-hair to use for an aiming point for a specific range. For example,using the same 500 yard zero chart found in FIG. 5, if the shooterwishes to hit a target at 1100 yards, he estimates two or threesecondary horizontal cross-hairs which should bracket the correctsecondary horizontal cross-hair to use as an aiming point. The shooterguesses the correct cross-hair is between the cross-hair identified as 6and the cross-hair identified as 8. He then performs the samecalculation: Cross-hair #6:${\frac{20\quad \text{inches of angle}}{100\quad \text{yards}} \times 1100\quad \text{yards}} = {220\quad \text{inches of angle}}$Cross-hair #7:${\frac{25\quad \text{inches of angle}}{100\quad \text{yards}} \times 1100\quad \text{yards}} = {275\quad \text{inches of angle}}$Cross-hair #8:${\frac{30\quad \text{inches of angle}}{100\quad \text{yards}} \times 1100\quad \text{yards}} = {330\quad \text{inches of angle}}$

Looking at the 500 yard table, the bullet drop at 1100 yards is 247inches. This looks fairly close to mid-way between. To double check thisestimate, the shooter can run the calculation for the unlabeledsecondary horizontal cross-hair between cross-hair 6 and cross-hair 7,which is located 22.5 inches of angle below the primary horizontalcross-hair:${\frac{\text{22.5 inches of angle}}{100\quad \text{yards}} \times 1100\quad \text{yards}} = {247.5\quad \text{inches of angle}}$

This value most closely approximates the trajectory according to the 500yard zero Ingalls table used for this example, and, if used shouldcorrespond to a point exactly 0.5 inches off dead center.

Once the scope has been calibrated for the weapon and ammunitionspecified, the shooter can test the calculated values against actualperformance at a range. The values generated using computer projections,ballistic tables and calculations are only a guide; however, they shouldbe quite close to actual performance. It is preferred that the finalrange value assigned to each secondary horizontal cross-hair should bebased on an actual line firing test of the selected weapon andammunition at various ranges. A minimum of three shots should be usedfor the final confirmation of the estimated values.

Once the reticle has been calibrated as described above, it can be usedin the field to acquire and hit targets of all sizes at very long,unknown ranges. While the preferred range for the preferred embodimentis at least 500 yards to 2500 yards (assuming the weapon/ammunitioncombination selected are capable of accurately hitting a target at theseranges), a scope of the present invention could be used to hit targetsat shorter ranges, as well as longer ranges, limited only by thecapacity of the weapon and the eyesight of the shooter.

The preferred rangefinder, shown in FIG. 2, can easily be used toaccurately determine the range to a target whose size is known or can beestimated. For example, for a 36 inch bull's-eye target placed at anunknown distance from the shooter, the shooter need only align the rightedge of the target with the vertical arm 32 of the rangefinder so thatthe horizontal arm 34 of the rangefinder appears to pass through thecenter of the bull's-eye target. If, for example, the left edge of thetarget extends to the cross-hair corresponding to 6 inches of angle,then the observed size of the target is 6 inches of angle, and the rangeto target is calculated to be:$\text{Range (yards)} = \frac{\text{target's actual size (inches)} \times 100}{\text{observed inches of angle on rangefinder}}$

or, in this example,$\text{Range (yards)} = {\frac{36 \times 100}{6} = {\frac{3600}{6} = {600\quad \text{yards}}}}$

As a further example, suppose that the shooter observes a moose in thedistance, eating vegetables from a garden near a house. From acomparison with a door in the house, the shooter estimates the size ofthe moose to be 6 feet at the shoulder. Upon viewing this target in thereticle, the shooter aligns the horizontal arm 34 of the rangefinderwith the ground level upon which the moose is standing, and the verticalarm 32 of the rangefinder with the moose's shoulder. The shooterdetermines that the moose's shoulder touches the cross-hair marked 5.The range can then be calculated as follows:

Range=72/5×100=1440 yards

Once range has been determined, the shooter can then select theappropriate aiming point on the calibrated reticle, without the need fortaking his eye off the target and without the need of making anyadjustments to the scope.

Because it is often not possible to accurately estimate windage problemsdown range, particularly over long ranges, it is easiest for theexperienced shooter to use the reticle of the present invention tocorrect after a shot is observed to drift. As noted above, the secondaryvertical cross-hairs are evenly spaced every 5 inches of angle, whichprovides a scale for adjusting a second shot towards the target. Forexample, a 50 cal. bullet is fired at a target 1500 yards away. Theintersection between the primary vertical cross-hair and the secondaryhorizontal cross-hair identified by number 11 is the selected aimingpoint. The bullet was observed to drift approximately two secondaryvertical cross-hairs to the right of center. To correct for this drift,the shooter need only shift the aiming point to the intersection betweenthe second vertical cross-hair to the right of the primary verticalcross-hair and the horizontal cross-hair identified by number 11,effectively moving the barrel of the weapon left the appropriatedistance to compensate for windage. Likewise, if the bullet passes thetarget too high or too low, the shooter can use the secondary horizontalmarkings to adjust for range. For example, if the bullet is observed topass two secondary horizontal markings above the selected aiming pointwhen it passes the target, the shooter can quickly adjust by shiftinghis aiming point up two secondary horizontal cross-hairs, thusdepressing the barrel of the firearm.

If it is not possible to visually determine bullet drift, the shootercan use a table which takes into account local conditions, the weapon,and ammunition to determine the amount of deflection over a selectedrange. See FIG. 8 for an illustrative table. With the conditions asstated in FIG. 8, and for a wind crossing from the left of the shooterto the right, the expected deflection of the bullet at 1000 yards wouldbe 54.1 inches to the right. The aiming point for windage can be easilycalculated: $\begin{matrix}{{\frac{\text{inches of angle on horizontal cross-hair}}{\text{100 yards}} \times \text{1000 yards}} = \quad \text{54.1 inches}} \\{\text{inches of angle on horizontal cross-hair} = \quad {\frac{\text{54.1 inches} \times \text{100 yards}}{\text{1000 yards}} = 5.41}}\end{matrix}$

Thus, the shooter can correct for windage on a first shot by choosingthe intersection between the correct secondary horizontal cross-hair for1000 yards, and the first secondary vertical cross-hair to the right ofthe primary vertical cross-hair (which, as indicated above for thepreferred embodiment, is spaced 5 inches of angle away from the primaryvertical cross-hair).

In addition to a long-range reticle, the present invention can beadapted for use in mid-range application. For the purpose of thisapplication, “mid-range” is defined as about 50 to about 1000 yards fromthe muzzle of the weapon. A mid-range reticle can be manufactured,calibrated, and used in a telescopic gunsight in the same manner as thelong-range reticle described above. Although the two reticles arecalibrated and used in the same fashion, slight variations can exist intheir reticle markings. These slight differences stem from theirdifferent range applications. Recall that the primary horizontalcross-hair 22 in the long-range reticle was preferably located above theoptical center 21 to allow for additional field of view necessary forlong ranges. As shown in FIG. 10, the primary horizontal cross-hair 22′of a mid-range reticle 40 does not need to be above the optical center21. Since the mid-range reticle is used for shorter distances, less ofthe lower field of view is needed. Accordingly, for a mid-range reticle,the primary horizontal cross-hair 22′ is preferably be centered tointersect the primary vertical cross-hair 20 at the optical center 21.Since this provides more room in the top quadrants, the rangefinder 30of the mid-range reticle is preferably located in the upper leftquadrant rather than the lower left quadrant.

The mid-range embodiment 40 of the present invention is used in the samemanner as the long-range version. The scope and reticle can becalibrated to work with almost any type of rifle. To calibrate the scopeand reticle, the shooter can follow the same procedure detailed abovefor a long-range reticle with the reticle preferably zeroed formid-range yardage.

Once the scope has been calibrated for the weapon and specifiedammunition, the shooter can test the calculated values against actualperformance at a range. It is preferred that the final range valueassigned to each secondary horizontal cross-hair should be based on anactual line firing test of the selected weapon and ammunition at variousranges. At least three shots are preferably used for the finalconfirmation of the estimated values.

Once the reticle has been calibrated, it can be used in the field toacquire and hit targets of all sizes at mid-range distances. Therangefinder can be used to determine the range to the target asexplained above with respect to the long-range reticle. Also,compensation for windage can likewise be determined as detailed above. Ascope of the present invention could be used to hit targets at shorterranges, as well as longer ranges, limited only by the capacity of theweapon and the skills of the shooter.

More accurate results can be achieved if a shooter centers the reticlewhile looking through the scope. However, aligning the user's eye withthe optical center of the scope is not always easy. The presentinvention can also be provided with a “ghost ring” 41 as depicted inFIG. 11. The ghost ring 41 is a visible ring which has as its center theoptical center 21 of the scope, and which circumscribes that markings onthe reticle. Ghost ring 41 aids shooters by helping them align theirsight with respect to the scope and reticle. By insuring that the ghostring 41 is centered within the field of view of the scope, the reticlewill likewise be centered. As shown in FIG. 12, an aiming dot 42 can beincluded as an aid for rapid acquisition of moving targets, and forcentering the shooter's eye in the field of view of the scope. Dot 42 ismost preferably about 5 inches of angle in diameter, and is superimposedover the optical center of the reticle. Dot 42 shown is most preferablycircular, but it may also be other shapes such as square, rectangular,oval, and the like. The aiming dot 42 can be a predetermined size thatcovers a predetermined area of the target at a given range according toa scaling of the reticle, such as inches of angle, centimeters of angle,or conventional scaling means as mentioned previously. The preferredarrangement of ghost ring 41 in combination with aiming dot 42 enhancesthe eye's natural tendency to center the ring 41 in the center of thefield of view of the scope. By looking directly along the scope, theshooter is more likely to have accurate and repeatable shooting. Theghost ring 41 and dot 42 can be part of the reticle. Preferably ring 41and dot 42 are etched onto one side of the disc 19. However, ring 41 anddot 42 can also be provided using other conventional methods such as,for example, printing or applying hairs or wires to disc 19, or to otheroptical components of the scope. Preferably aiming marking 42 is etchedonto one side of the disc 19, but it can also be provided using otherconventional methods such as, for example, printing or applying hairs orwires to disc 19 or to other optical components of the scope.

One skilled in the art will recognize at once that it would be possibleto construct the present invention from a variety of materials and in avariety of different ways. While the preferred embodiments have beendescribed in detail, and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will beevident that various further modification are possible without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An improved telescopic gunsight, comprising: (a) a housing,including a means for mounting said housing in a fixed, predeterminedposition relative to a gun barrel; (b) an objective lens mounted in saidhousing at one end thereof; (c) an ocular lens mounted in said housingat an opposite end thereof; (d) a reticle mounted in said housingbetween said objective lens and said ocular lens, said reticle having anoptical center and a plurality of aiming points, said aiming pointsformed by a primary vertical cross-hair, a primary horizontal cross-hairintersecting said primary vertical cross-hair to form an upper rightquadrant, an upper left quadrant, a lower left quadrant, and a lowerright quadrant, a plurality of secondary horizontal cross-hairsintersecting said primary vertical cross hair and evenly spaced apredetermined distance along said primary vertical cross-hair, aplurality of secondary vertical cross-hairs intersecting at least someof said secondary horizontal cross-hairs and evenly spaced apredetermined distance along at least some of said secondary horizontalcross-hairs, each said intersecting cross-hair forming one of saidplurality of aiming points, and rangefinding markings.
 2. The improvedgunsight of claim 1 additionally including variable power optics forpermitting a user to select the optical power of the gunsight within apredetermined range, and wherein said reticle is mounted between saidvariable power optics and said objective lens.
 3. The improved gunsightof claim 1 wherein said rangefinding markings and said cross-hairs areall based upon the same scale.
 4. The improved gunsight of claim 1wherein said rangefinding markings are provided in a different scalefrom that used for said cross-hairs.
 5. The improved gunsight of claim 1wherein at least some of said secondary horizontal cross-hairs eachinclude a unique marking for identification purposes.
 6. The improvedgunsight of claim 4 wherein said rangefinding markings are provided inan inches of angle scale while said cross-hairs are provided in a MilDot scale.
 7. The improved gunsight of claim 1 wherein at least some ofsaid rangefinding markings are located in one of said quadrants.
 8. Thegunsight of claim 7 wherein at least some of said rangefinding markingsare located in one of said upper quadrants.
 9. A reticle for use in atelescopic gunsight including a mount for mounting said gunsight in afixed, predetermined position relative to a gun barrel, said reticlehaving an optical center and comprising: (a) a primary verticalcross-hair having a predetermined thickness; (b) a primary horizontalcross-hair having a predetermined thickness intersecting said primaryvertical cross-hair to form an upper right quadrant, an upper leftquadrant, a lower left quadrant, and a lower right quadrant; (c) aplurality of secondary horizontal cross-hairs having predeterminedthickness evenly spaced a predetermined distance along and intersectingsaid primary vertical cross-hair, each said secondary horizontalcross-hair forming an aiming point with said primary verticalcross-hair, each of said secondary horizontal cross-hairs being shorterthan said primary horizontal cross-hair; (d) a plurality of secondaryvertical cross-hairs having predetermined thickness evenly spaced apredetermined distance along at least some of said secondary horizontalcross-hairs, each said secondary vertical cross-hair forming an aimingpoint with said secondary horizontal cross-hairs, each said secondaryvertical cross-hair being shorter than said primary vertical cross-hair;and, (e) rangefinding markings.
 10. The reticle of claim 9 wherein saidrangefinding markings comprises a vertical rangefinding marking and anintersecting horizontal rangefinding marking, each of which is providedwith a plurality of range finding cross-hairs spaced a predetermineddistance along said vertical and said horizontal markings.
 11. Thereticle of claim 10 wherein said vertical rangefinding marking issuperimposed on said primary vertical cross-hair.
 12. The reticle ofclaim 11 wherein said vertical rangefinding marking is located above apoint where said primary horizontal cross-hair intersects said primaryvertical cross-hair.
 13. The reticle of claim 10 wherein said horizontalrangefinding marking is superimposed on said primary horizontalcross-hair.
 14. The reticle of claim 13 wherein said horizontalrangefinding marking is located to one side of a point where saidprimary vertical cross-hair and said primary horizontal cross-hairintersect.
 15. The reticle of claim 9 wherein said thickness of and saidpredetermined spacing of said vertical and horizontal cross-hairs arebased upon a first scale and said rangefinding markings are all basedupon a second scale.
 16. The reticle of claim 15 wherein said firstscale and said second scale are the same.
 17. The reticle of claim 15wherein said first scale and said second scale are different.
 18. Thereticle of claim 17 wherein said second scale is selected from the groupconsisting of: an inches of angle scale and a centimeters of anglescale.
 19. The reticle of claim 9 wherein at least some of saidsecondary horizontal cross-hairs include a unique marking foridentification purposes.
 20. The reticle of claim 9 wherein said primaryhorizontal cross-hair intersects said primary vertical cross-hair atsaid optical center.
 21. The reticle of claim 9 wherein said at leastsome of said rangefinding markings are located in one of said upperquadrants.
 22. A method for hitting a target of known or estimable sizewith a bullet fired from a firearm using a telescopic gunsight mountedto the firearm, the telescopic gunsight having a reticle with an opticalcenter and a plurality of aiming points, a primary vertical cross-hair,a primary horizontal cross-hair intersecting said primary verticalcross-hair to form an upper right quadrant, an upper left quadrant, alower left quadrant, and a lower right quadrant, a plurality ofsecondary horizontal cross-hairs intersecting and evenly spaced apredetermined distance along said primary vertical cross-hair, aplurality of secondary vertical cross-hairs intersecting and evenlyspaced a predetermined distance along at least some of said secondaryhorizontal cross-hairs, each intersecting cross-hair forming one of theplurality of aiming points, unique identifying markings associated withat least some of said secondary horizontal cross-hairs, and an opticalrangefinder, said method comprising the steps of: (a) locating a targetof known or estimable actual size; (b) determining the number of evenlyspaced, scaled markings on the rangefinder which span the target area,to determine an observed size; (c) calculating range to the target usingthe relationship between the actual size and the observed size; (d)selecting from said primary and secondary horizontal cross-hairs ahorizontal cross-hair which has been predetermined to correlate to thecalculated range; (e) selecting as an aiming point on the selectedhorizontal cross-hair the intersection between the selected horizontalcross-hair and a vertical cross-hair based on windage considerations;(f) aligning said selected aiming point with a center of said target;and, (g) shooting at the target.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein saidtelescopic gunsight is calibrated for range before shooting at a target,whereby the horizontal cross-hairs are assigned known range values basedupon relevant factors including the firearm and ammunition used.